I just listened to an amazing lecture by Imam Zaid Shakir on the appropriate response to the current crisis in Gaza.
I've incorporated much from his talk with some thoughts of mine:
Many are getting very emotional over this deservedly charged issue. Emotion is a commodity not very scarce in the Muslim peoples.
We responded with emotion when Lebanon was invaded by Israel in 1978 and 1982. And we went back to our lives.
We responded with emotion and anger when Palestinians were slaughtered in the first Intifada of the late 80's. And we went back to our lives.
We responded with anger when Sharon marched into the sanctified grounds of Al-Aqsa, leading to the second Intifada in 2000. And we went back to our lives.
What we failed to do in each instance, was to direct that emotion and energy towards constructive change. Social change. Political change. Spiritual Change. Economic Change.
Imam Zaid pointed to the massive protests and rallies that take place in the wake of such tragedies and asked if we've ever seen the pro-Zionist camp at our rallies. They may number 20-30 at most. Reason being that their core supporters are busy in ensuring that the current dynamics remain in their favor.
I'm sick and tired of these stupid rallies that serve more to appease the guilt of the protesters than to aid the cause of the oppressed.
Our response must not be extra prayer for a few nights or weeks, but to institute that into our daily lives. It must not be a check of $500 in support of Gaza, but rather sponsoring an orphanage or a school (like Zaytuna College for which Imam Zaid was raising funds) or organizations like CAIR.
Our response must not be passive crying and wailing, but an active commitment to becoming better human beings - with our relatives, with our friends, with our neighbors, with total strangers.
And until that happens, the One who has beset us with these trials and tribulations will continue to do so.
I think it's time we come to that harsh realization that WE are the cause for the suffering in Gaza, in Iraq, in Somalia, in Congo, and so on. It is due to OUR failings that so many are in pain.
So let us for once put aside the short-lived emotions and work on long-term actionable steps that we can take as individuals, families, and communities.
Just don’t call it genocide
1 week ago
7 comments:
I agree,
Allah doesnt change a people unless they change themselves first.
I went to the Protest in Chicago. My justification for that was that.."When you see something wrong, fix it with you hands, if not then with you tongue, if not then with you heart, which is the lowest of faith, there is no faith after that"
In that, it would make sense to protest even if it means little..right?
But I see your point..
At the rally, they said, "You can go pray Asr on the side of the street"
Not many people came.
Whats the point of protesting yet not praying to Allah. It was pretty pathetic.
-The Muslim Kid-
So true, so so true.
It's time to stop crying and wailing and start acting.
As it is, protesting is against the sunnah. When people can leave their televisions, gossiping and laziness in the garbage maybe a light may begin to shine from within. But that only comes after conviction of the heart and love for Allah convinces a person to fundamentally change themselves. People like to talk the talk, but seem to have the endurance to walk the walk.
Hey, I was at that lecture.
And I also thoroughly agree that these rally's really exist just to make the people who go to them feel better about themselves. They feel they have accomplished something. Meanwhile, no major media outlet has noted that there were 15000 people in DC marching through the streets.
AA-
@MuslimKid, "In that, it would make sense to protest even if it means little..right?"
Sure, as long as you are committed to other activities that are geared towards long-term change (with you, family, community).
@Anon, "People like to talk the talk, but seem to have the endurance to walk the walk."
I think you meant 'but seem to LACK the endurance to walk the walk'
@Sophister "Hey, I was at that lecture."
Cool, a fellow Baltimoron! Hey, next time I return to B'more, we can hook up and make fun of FOB's. ;-)
Naeem - actually in VA, but drove up for it - let me know! And hey, I don't make fun of fobs, i AM a fob, remember?
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